Bandage and dressing



Dec. 24, 1957' T. J. THoMPsoN BANDAGE AND DRESSING Filed June 10, 1955 nlilnifll. llllll ll/ IN VEN TOR. THAI. MER J. THoMPso/v mi i MW Arro/E'NEYS Unite This invention relates to a new and dressing.

It is particularly designed to relieve frictional aggravations and resultant indurations of the feet, and also, in one embodiment, medicinally to treat the same. The present application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 477,818 tiled December 27 1954, now Patent No. 2,755,800.

The invention comprises a soft, resilient, relatively iiat` tubular member sealed at its ends and lubricated from within to minimizefrictional contact of the interior, obverse surfaces of the tubular member. Also included in the invention are means for reducing frictional contact `between the dressing and the aliicted areas, and for rapidly disseminating concentrated fn'ctional heat from the sensitive area.

Thus it is a particular object and feature of this inven tion to relieve frictional laggravation of the sensitive area of the foot, first by minimizing friction between the dressing and the aflicting footgear, and second, by minimizing friction between the dressing and the sensitive area.

An additional object of the invention is to disseminate frictional heat over a relatively large area to prevent concentration of the same and resultant aggravation to the sensitive area of the skin.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a bandage or dressing which may easily be applied to the aiilicted area. The bandage is provided at its ends with a pressure-sensitive adhesive whereby the bandage may be resiliently biased around a toe, or other afflicted area, the pressure-sensitive adhesive being adhered to the skin or overlapped portion of the bandage to maintain the bandage effectively in place.

Another object of the invention resides in the controlled tightness possible. The resilient, wrap-around construction tits toes of all sizes and permits greater or lesser tension, asdesired.

A further object of the invention resides in simplicity of manufacture. The invention apprehends a tubular member which may easily -be cut to desired lengths in mass quantities.

In one embodiment of the invention, the contained lubricant comprises a medication and means are provided whereby the same may be continuously fed to the sensitive area at a controlled rate.

The composition `of the bandage is such as to' be particularly durable. In addition, it is water-proof. Thus, the user may bathe without removing the bandage, and the bandage will normally last as long as it is needed.

These, and other objects of the invention will appear from the following written description of three embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying. drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, sectional View of Fig. l;

and useful bandage` arent Fig. 4: is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 isa cross1sectiona1view of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional View of Fig. 7; yand Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional View of Fig. y'7.

Referring now tothe drawings in detail, Figs. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate a substantially at tubular member 2 composed of a soft, resilient and impervious material such as rubber, made by latex-dipping process, extrusion, or other suitable manufacturing processes.

For purposes of description the tubular member 2 will be referred to as including a top exterior surface 3, a bottom exterior surface 4,` a top interior surface 6, and a bottom interior surface 7. A small member 8 of metal foil is` centrally cemented to the bottom exterior surface 4 of the tubular member 2 and such that the said metal foil member 8 will be in contact with the sensitive area of the skin as hereinafter descri'bed. A thin lilm Of lubricant 9 has been induced into the tube. The lubricant 9 may be a dry vehicle, such as magnesium stearate powder, graphite, or talcum powder, or it may be liquid, such; as water, oil, grease, glycerine, or other lubricant which is non-deleterious to the material from which the tube is made.

The tubular member 2 is sealed at its ends, as by Vulcanization, adhesive, or heat-sealing process. Adjacent each said end on` the bottom exterior surface the tubular member 2 is provided with pressure-sensitive strips of adhesive 11 and 12.

The 4bandage is applied to the sensitive area of the body or foot with the ybottom exterior surface 4 in contact with the sensitive area. If the sensitive area is a callous as on the ball of the foot, the bandage is positioned with the metal foil member 8 in Contact with the afflicted area, and pressed against the ball of the foot, causing the pressure-sensitive strips of adhesive 11 and 12 tov adhere to the foot.

As is probably more often the case, the sensitive area or induration is a corn located on a toe. In this event, the metal foil member 8 is positioned in contact with and covering the corn, and the tubular member 2 is biased around the toe to the desired tightness. Pressure is then applied to the ends of the bandage causing the pressure-sensitive adhesive to adhere, and to hold the bandage in place on the toe.

In use, the bandage is disposed between the sensitive area and the aiilicting footgear or adjacent toe.` The film of lubricant 9 disposed interior of the tubular member 2 permits movement of the interior surfaces 6 and 7' of the tu-be relative to each other, with minimum friction. Thus, the wall of the tube adjacent the rubbing footgear may move with the shoe imparting minimum friction, and particularly minimum frictional heat, to the wall of the tube adjacent the foot.

Friction transferred to the wall adjacent the foot is further minimized by metal foil member 8. The smooth surface of the metal foil member 8 in conjunction with the natural lubrication afforded by perspiration permits movement of the bottom exterior surface 4 and attached foil member 8 relative to the sensitive area with minimum irritation. Frictional heat passing through the wall adjacent the foot is disseminated throughout the foil member preventing harmful concentration at any point.

The construction of the tubular member is Water-proof, as is the metal foil member 8. The user or wearer may therefore bathe without regard to the bandage.

Under ordinary conditions the bandage will endure y' j V2,817,335

, Y 3 until the afflicted area is healed, or at least, substantially improved.

In addition, the resilient construction of the tubular member 2 permits the bandage to be wrapped around a toe at controlled pressure. The user may rapidly ascertain the optimum pressure, that is, a pressure without deleterious effects to the toe, but suflicient pressure to maintain the bandage properly in place.

Figs. 4 through 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. The second embodiment is constructed substantially as the first embodiment, comprising a resilient tubular member 2 sealed at its ends and provided on its bottom exterior surface 4 with a sheet of metal foil 3 cemented thereto. Also, as in the first embodiment, it

includes strips of pressure-sensitive adhesive 1l and 12 Y applied adjacent its sealed ends. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it contains no lubricant interior of the tube. It also differs in that the side or wall bearing the metal foil member 8 is perforated with a plurality of small openings or orifices 13. Preferably, the orifices 13 are perforated only through the exposed portion of the tubular member; not through the metal foil member 8.

In use, the orifices 13 permit circulation of air or breathing by the tube whereby moisture condensing within the interior of the tube 2 provides for automatic or natural lubrication of the obverse interior surfaces of said tube 2.

Figs. 7 through 9 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention. This embodiment, like the first and second embodiments, comprises a tubular member 2 sealed at its ends and including a metal foil member 8 cemented to the bottom exterior surface 4 thereof and strips 11 and 12 of pressure-sensitive adhesive adjacent the said tubes ends.

In this embodiment a lubricant 14 is induced or disposed interior of the tubular member 2, which lubricant 14 is designed to perform a dual purpose. It lubricates the interior surfaces 6 and 7 of the tubular member 2 as in the first or second embodiments. Also, the lubricant 14 includes a medication such as an antiseptic, emollient, or pain reliever beneficial to the afflicted area of the foot. For example, salicylic acid is commonly used for relieving corn pains and `assisting in the sloughing off of the induration. Obviously, any desired medication may be used according to the dictates of the particular case.

The side or wall of the tubular member 2 bearing the metal foil member 8 is apertured with a plurality of oriy fices 16 located at and around the metal foil member 8.

In use the medicinal lubricant in the third embodiment lubricates the interior surfaces of the tubular member to minimize friction as in the other embodiments. Additionally, the lubricant in this embodiment secretes continuously through the orifices 16 to medicinally soothe and treat the afflicted area. The rate of secretion may be regulated by the size and number of orifices in relation to the viscosity of the lubricant. When the medicinal lubricant is exhausted, the dressing should be replaced if further treatment is necessary.

The terms lubricant and medicinal lubricant as used herein mean a material operative to lubricate or medicate, or both.

Although I have described the several embodiments of my invention with particular reference to the treatment of corns, callouses, and similar ailments of the feet, it is understood that the scope of the invention is in no way limited or restricted to any particular therapeutic use or uses to which it may be put. Thus, it is contemplated that the perforate embodiment shown in Figs. 7 and 8, for example, can be used advantageously as a dressing for practically any part of the body where it is desired to continuously feed medication to 'an afliicted area.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A bandage comprising a reservoir for a medicinal lubricant, said reservoir comprising a hollow member formed of fiexible material impervious to said lubricant and provided with at least one orifice whereby said medicinal lubricant may pass through the orifice, a sheet of metal foil carried by at least one side of said member, and means for securing said bandage to a skin surface.

2. In a bandage the combination comprising a flattened tubular member formed of impervious, flexible material sealed at its ends; a sheet of metal foil secured to one side of said tubular member; first means for securing said bandage to a skin surface; and second means for lubricating the interior surfaces 4of said tubular member.

3. In a bandage the combination comprising a flattened tubular member formed of impervious, fiexible material sealed at its ends; a sheet of metal foil secured to one side of said tubular member; a lubricant disposed interiorly of said tubular member; and means for securing said bandage to a skin surface.

4. In a bandage the combination comprising a flattened tubular member formed of impervious, flexible material sealed at its ends; a sheet of metal foil secured to one side of said tubularmember; said tubular member provided with a plurality of orifices around said sheet of metal foil; and means for securing said tubular member to a skin surface.

5 A bandage comprising a reservoir for a medicinal lubricant, said reservoir comprising a hollow member formed of flexible material impervious to said lubricant and provided with at least one orifice; a sheet of metal foil provided with at least one orifice; said sheet of metal foil secured to said reservoir with the orifices in registry whereby the medicinal lubricant may pass through the orifices.

6. In a bandage the combination comprising a flattened tubular member formed of impervious, fiexible material sealed at its ends; a sheet of metal foil secured to one side of said tubular member intermediate selected marginal edges thereof; a lubricant disposed interiorly of said tubular member; and skin-adhering adhesive provided adjacent selected marginal edges of said tubular member.

7. In a bandage the combination comprising a flattened tubular member formed of impervious, flexible material sealed at its ends; a sheet of metal foil secured to one side of said `tubular member intermediate selected marginal edges thereof; said tubular member provided with a plurality of orifices surrounding said sheet of metal foil; and skin-'adhering adhesive provided adjacent selected marginal edges of said tubular member.

8. In a bandage the combination comprising a flattened tubular member formed of impervious, fiexible material sealed at its ends; a sheet of metal foil secured to one side of said tubular member intermediate selected marginal edges thereof; a medicinal lubricant disposed int'eriorly of said tubular member; said tubular member and sheet of metal foil perforated whereby said medicinal lubricant may pass through the perforations; and skinadhering adhesive provided adjacent selected marginal edges of said tubular member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,489,675 Roberts Nov. 29, 1949 2,561,071 Prisk July 17, 1951 2,577,945 Atherton Dec. 11, 1951 2,669,989 Schoucain Feb. 23, 1954 

